Can I get a green birds nest?

schmidt01 · 12-01-2007, 12:00 PM

I'd really like to get a green birds nest, but I'd like your advice on whether or not it would do well in my tank. I currently have PC lighting and since green birds nest is an SPS coral I know my lighting is probably not intense enough. However, from what I've read online they like "less intense" lighting, so does that mean they'd do ok under PC lighting? If I placed it near the top of my tank would it be ok? If not, I'll just wait until I'm able to upgrade to the larger tank and MH I want... but that might not be for a while.

Jflip2002 · 12-01-2007, 12:03 PM

I dont think itd do well under PCs. Any SPS that require "less" lighting, I think is referring to less than other SPS, which require MH or T5. I went from PC to T5 to MH lighting, and I actually liked the T5 the best out of them. The MH gives the shimmer, but the T5 are so much cooler, and you dont have to worry about your tank heating up. So you may want to consider those (and I think theyre cheaper). And with a good T5 system you can keep anything you want I believe.

But yeah, Id wait. A thing with birdsnest also is they require tons of flow, more than most SPS (I think but I may have it backwards). So keep that in mind. Alot of people just concentrate on the lighting requirements, and not necessarily the flow requirements.

Fly Guy · 12-01-2007, 12:07 PM

you could keep it up high but it would be brown, no matter what color it started out as when you put it in there.

They do require lots of flow when they get bigger as their branches will suffocate themselves unless you provide good flow throughout and all the inner branches will die.....

schmidt01 · 12-01-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jflip2002

I dont think itd do well under PCs. Any SPS that require "less" lighting, I think is referring to less than other SPS, which require MH or T5. I went from PC to T5 to MH lighting, and I actually liked the T5 the best out of them. The MH gives the shimmer, but the T5 are so much cooler, and you dont have to worry about your tank heating up. So you may want to consider those (and I think theyre cheaper). And with a good T5 system you can keep anything you want I believe.

But yeah, Id wait. A thing with birdsnest also is they require tons of flow, more than most SPS (I think but I may have it backwards). So keep that in mind. Alot of people just concentrate on the lighting requirements, and not necessarily the flow requirements.

One online store said they'd do great under PC lighting, but I'll listen to you guys over a store any day! I'll wait to get one until I upgrade my tank.

I may end up going with the T5's instead of MH for the reasons you stated. I really want a clam when I upgrade to a bigger tank, so if they'll do well under T5's then I'll go with those.

schmidt01 · 12-01-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

you could keep it up high but it would be brown, no matter what color it started out as when you put it in there.

They do require lots of flow when they get bigger as their branches will suffocate themselves unless you provide good flow throughout and all the inner branches will die.....

Thanks for the info... I'll wait until I get better lighting. I love the way the coral looks and if it won't look the way it should under the lighting I have I guess it defeats the purpose! Plus my goal is to have everything in my tank "thrive", not just "survive". Oh well! Another thing to put on my wish list!

betamed · 12-01-2007, 12:52 PM

Make sure you get the T5 lights with the individual reflectors or MH.

crvz · 12-01-2007, 12:59 PM

It may not thrive, but if you really like it I'd say give it a chance. Find someone local who's willing to give you a smaller frag for a good price and go from there. Put it up high and maybe you'll be surprised.

Fly Guy · 12-01-2007, 01:00 PM

You need to look at some tanks in person before you decide on T5 over MH.
'
I couldnt handle it personally......ya...there are some downsides to them, but worth every sacrifice and penny.

I might use T-5's for a frag tank.....but not a display....no way

holyscoly · 12-01-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

You need to look at some tanks in person before you decide on T5 over MH.
'
I couldnt handle it personally......ya...there are some downsides to them, but worth every sacrifice and penny.

I might use T-5's for a frag tank.....but not a display....no way

i agree with fly ive seen both mh (wich i own) and t-5s and i am a metal halide guy all the way.

Jflip2002 · 12-01-2007, 01:25 PM

Kinda just personal preference on the lighting Id say though, right? I mean Ive had both, and they do the same for me. The only difference is the growth is better with the halides. I actually have new heads forming on my frogspawn.

If youre buy a frag of the birdsnest, I think itd really be a waste of time under PC. Its not going to grow really, and youre gonna have a frag for a while. I believe they grow rapidly with good water quality and nice lights.

But I suppose if you go MH, they endup paying for themselves. Since you can buy frags, which are cheaper. And they end up growing into nice pieces in time. Im not sure how quick theyd grow with T5s, though Id imagine itd be pretty comparable.

schmidt01 · 12-01-2007, 01:26 PM

What do you like more about MH instead of T5?

OIIIIIO · 12-01-2007, 02:01 PM

shimmer lines created from MH are hypnotic. I have both now. MH on my main tank and T5 on my frag tank.

Fly Guy · 12-01-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmidt01

What do you like more about MH instead of T5?

go look at some tanks with halides and then som with T-5's and choose for yourslef. To me its the difference between being in the fish section at Petco and being on the reef itself.

yes im a little overdramatic....but you get the idea

DarthOcellaris · 12-01-2007, 06:37 PM

back to the birdsnest...are you looking at getting a frag from a local reefer or a LFS, online, what? You'd probably have more luck with it's color if it was fragged from a local. But yeah, keep her up high near the light and get some good flow in/around it

Be sure to put up some pics if you do get one

crvz · 12-01-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthOcellaris

back to the birdsnest...are you looking at getting a frag from a local reefer or a LFS, online, what? You'd probably have more luck with it's color if it was fragged from a local. But yeah, keep her up high near the light and get some good flow in/around it

Be sure to put up some pics if you do get one

concur. Especially with the pics!!